At CUFI, we believe a strong, secure, and sovereign Israel is key to a strong and secure United States. Israel needs America, and America needs Israel. We are two nations with shared values, defending the same principles, and thus engaged in the same fight against common enemies. On May 14, 1948, the US was the first country to recognize the nascent State of Israel just eleven minutes after Israel declared its independence. Since then, the US has been a friend to Israel, our most critical ally in the Middle East. One of CUFI’s core concerns is to shape and strengthen the US-Israel relationship to the safety and security of both our nations.
Hosting a top US general, Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Aviv Kohav said Wednesday that the two countries were developing “joint” capabilities to counter Iran.
Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, head of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM), wrapped up his fourth official visit to Israel since entering the role in April on Wednesday.
In…
06/03/2021
A bipartisan group of 55 members of the US House of Representatives wrote to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Wednesday in support of more American funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, which intercepted hundreds of rockets during the country’s conflict with the Hamas militant group.
“As Members of Congress…
04/28/2021
National security advisors discuss Iranian threat as nuclear talks continue in Vienna
The United States and Israel have agreed to set up an inter-agency working group focused on the increasing regional threat posed by Iranian-produced Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and Precision Guided Missiles, the White House said on Tuesday….
04/11/2021
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin touched down in Israel on Sunday for his first official visit to the country. The visit comes in the shadow of growing military tensions between Israel and Iran, and amid attempts by Washington to engage Tehran in negotiations over its nuclear program.
At a joint press conference following a…
04/01/2021
CUFI Coffee Break
March 25th marked the two-year anniversary of US recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which followed just one week after CUFI released a statement backing associated legislation and after a month-long advocacy campaign. This courageous and historic proclamation has significant implications for…
03/30/2021
The annual United States report on global human rights practices affirmed that Jerusalem was the capital of Israel, but reintroduced language that spoke of Israeli occupation of territory, two-states and gave a nod in the direction of Palestinian Authority rights to sections of Jerusalem.
The annual Country Reports on Human Rights…
03/22/2021
Support for Israel among the American public remains very strong, according to a Gallup poll released Friday.
Some 75% of respondents said they viewed Israel favorably, compared to 74% in 2020, 69% in 2019, and 75% in 2018.
Some 30% said they viewed the Palestinian Authority favorably, significantly higher than the 23% in 2020,…
03/17/2021
Israeli and US officials agreed to set up a joint team for sharing intelligence about Iran’s nuclear program during recent strategic talks, according to a report Wednesday.
Last week’s talks were the first held by a bilateral group for cooperating in the effort to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear arms. The meeting was led by US…
03/17/2021
President Reuven Rivlin is considering whether to accept a bipartisan invitation to address a joint session of US Congress, the Ynet news site reports.
The report notes it is unclear whether Congress can fully convene before Rivlin ends his term as president in July due to coronavirus restrictions.
The president is currently in…
04/17/2020
As its strategy to address the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, continues to develop, the United States should not overlook the important role that its most scientifically advanced international allies could play in helping both to mitigate the pandemic’s devastating consequences and, ultimately, defeat it. Among those partners, few may…
03/15/2021
Israeli missile boats join guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey for maneuvers in Mediterranean
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the US Navy conducted joint patrols in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, the US military said on Monday.
According to the press release, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey and Israeli…
03/10/2021
Israeli and Biden administration officials on Thursday will hold the first session of a bilateral strategic group aimed at collaborating in the effort to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, an official familiar with the matter told The Times of Israel.
A similar working group convened during former US president Barack…
03/01/2021
Eyeing the growing military technology challenge from great power competitors, four members of the Senate Armed Services Committee sent a letter Feb. 24 to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, urging him to stand up a U.S.-Israel Operations-Technology Working Group, or OTWG. The working group authorized in the annual defense bill is…
02/18/2021
US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke on the phone late on Wednesday, nearly a month after Biden entered office.
Netanyahu was the first leader in the Middle East to get a call from Biden. The “warm and friendly” conversation lasted for nearly an hour, the Prime Minister’s Office said.
“The two…
02/07/2021
Decision comes in contrast to the Finance Ministry that opposed the move
Israel’s Security Cabinet approved Sunday the budget to boost the country’s Air Force by procuring warplanes, refueling planes and helicopters from the United States.
The budget, worth nine billion dollars of US aid money, was approved after a deliberation…
02/05/2021
The US Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday to keep the United States Embassy in Jerusalem, with only three senators voting against establishing funding to maintain the diplomatic mission.
In a move welcomed by Israel and bitterly opposed by the Palestinians, the Trump administration recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in…
02/04/2021
“The exercise is designed to improve interoperability between the armies of the two countries”
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the United States European Command (EUCOM) this week launched a joint air defense exercise, dubbed “Juniper Falcon,” focused on the threat from ballistic missile attacks, the two armies announced…
01/29/2021
Defense Minister Benny Gantz met with Commander of the United States Central Command, General Kenneth F. McKenzie, Jr. on Friday in Tel Aviv.
This was the first meeting between the two since the announcement that US military overview of Israel would be moved to CENTCOM earlier this month.
Gantz told McKenzie that now, as part…